Question about floppys??

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

This is prob a simple question but I'm stumped, never used one yet so I'm not in the know Shocked

I got sent a download for my Motherboard and I'm suppost to put it on a floppy and I've never used one up to this date, so here's my ?? Embarassed

I have 2 HD IBM 3 1/2in. FORMATTED 1.44MB Double-sided, high-density floppys in a 10 pack, so I saved the file on my desktop un-zipped,then I tried to extract to my A drive and then it says it needs a "address ".

So should I RT click and format or is that allready done cuz it says FORMATTED, then what do I need to 1st put/make a folder on that 1st so it has a place to extract to??
or am I going about this the wrong way??

If all possable could some one plz give me the step by step for getting that folder on a floppy??

Thanks in adavance Very Happy

Garance

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

When I RT click I try to format it and it says it can't ,also I don't see a way to create a folder on it from rt click menu so I'm not shur how to get a Address on the floppy, what am I doing wrong??

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

Then if I rt the folder on my desktop the hit extract, then go to A:\ and I put in>: MB Folder in the line, ie: A:\mb folder I get> : unable to create the folder 'mb folder' the parameter is incorrect. If I do it without anything in the line, ie: A:\ I get>: Unable to create the folder 'A:\' The parameter is incorrect.

So I am totally stumped I MUST Embarassed

be doing something wrong??

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

Ok I think I'm getting somewhere,
I created a folder on my desktop,
extracted the file into that folder,
then I opened that folder and found for Win XP 32
so I opened that up and found AsusSetup.exe and MakeDisk.exe
so I clicked on the MakeDisk exe.
then Asus File Extractor comes up,
it says : Specify the floppy drive and insert a blank 3.5 , 1.44MB floppy disk
then it says :Drive A: then Volume greyed Unknowen disk and at bottom it's got Extract button and a Quit Button,
So I hit the Extract button then I get a pop up box Unable to get disk information..OK

So whats next??

rovingcowboy · Joined: Jan 26, 2003 Posts: 1515

you got to do what you did in your last message,

only your should format the floppy first just to make sure its formated for your computer, it should be but never hurts as you see it was unable to find it even though it was preformated.

so format the floppy first.

floppys are just like a hard drive only very limited in space.

which is why they got out of favor when all the cdroms and dvd recorders got wide spread.

but your doing the right things just format those floppys first, Very Happy

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

Weird thing is when I rt click then hit format it says it can't, I have never used floppys as of yet so I'm not shur what i'm doing wrong.

But I know 1 thing..It won't let me format the thing..yes I did check the lock thing on the floppy disk..it's UN locked.

this is what may be the problem? It say FAT file system, there is no other option, could this be the problem??

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Generally, the instructions for making one of those Bios Flash disks include formatting the disk and making it bootable.
Then the routine you downloaded will put the Flashing program and a .bin file on the floppy.

But since the floppy must be able to boot the system, it must be not only formatted but a BOOT disk as well. When you right click on drive A: in My Computer you get a context menu. Pick Format and you get the format window.....on that window is the command to make the floppy disk bootable. Pick that option and see if the process will continue.

If you've bombed out on the first disk, try another.
Sometimes when I get a reluctant floppy disk, I grab it by one corner and then smack it down flatly on the edge of my disktop. Then I grab the opposite corner and repeat the process. This loosens the disk inside the plastic cover and allows it to turn more freely. I've solved many floppy disk problems with this simple fix. If it falls apart, I throw it away and try another. Rolling Eyes

Also, if you've not used your floppy disk drive before, it may not be running smoothly and this can cause you even more problems. Those little drives can get sticky and gummy from lack of use and won't position the read head properly. It must be able to transition smoothly to 80 different track positions.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't ask,,,,,Why on earth are you trying to flash your bios? And, are you very very sure that you got the right bios upgrade for your specific motherboard? I never flash a bios unless absolutely necessary to fix a known problem and even then I double and triple check to make sure I have the right bios .bin file.
I also never flash a bios unless the PC is plugged into a known good UPS, because any power fluctuation during the flashing process, can render the mobo dead and useless.

Good Luck,
The Doctor Cool

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

Thanks for the info about getting a floppy to work ,

I just knew Doc would get back to me Cool

When I get home I'll give her a slap or two on the desk,

I did try the rt click on the floppy drive then I tried to format but no go, also I checked the make ms-dos startup disk and also the quick Format options, whick ones or all or neither? I really have no clue Shocked

One question, it says FAT file system "the only option" is it allways FAT?

And another,under Volume label it's blank, should I be putting something under that or leave blank?

Doc just to ease your mind ,YES I got a new system and the BIOS need some raid drivers on it which it don't have,Yes they are the right ones for my MB,

See the guys who build my system are sending me a floppy in the mail with a Tech to put them in but also they e-mailed me the download if I wanted to download them, So out of my curiosity I wanted to try to see if I could just see if I could try to get something on a floppy, which I never have done b4, this is my 1st chance to ever use that never used part of my old system Twisted Evil

PS ill give you two update on what happened,

Thanks as allways Garance

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

I'm not shur but I think that the drive is working for the messages I get>

This is what I'm doing,

I get the Format window up

All dropdowns are default

Under Volume Label I put in name of download ie: MakeDisk.exe or AsusSetup.exe if i'm wrong here tell me plz..lol Embarassed

Under Format options I check quick Format, Enable Compression is greyed out and UN check Create MS-DOS startup disk, I tried both checked and un checked

Hit Start ,this is what I get: it looks like it's working, then I get

Windows cannot format this drive.Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive and make shur that no window is displaying the contents of this drive. Then try formatting again. Twisted Evil

I have Logergnome open and the format window up thats it, so I not shur what the heck is going on lol Rolling Eyes

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

Thanks Baby_tux & Doc for the helps Very Happy

Well, I think, I have run out of options with this endevor, this is what I'm gonna do,

About Monday, I should recive the floppy from UPS, then prob Tuesday, I should be getting the Tech over to flash my MB on my new system.

Then, when I know that this system is all set up and running correctly, Then I will give it a try again "New system has a 8 in 1 floppy" and On my old system, the green light comes on, but I think that it sat for 6 years with NO use and prob went bad somehow, so I will attempt on the new system.

Cuz, I really want to understand this floppy thing and acually see it work, when I read that Doc does this & that with a floppy, I am a little jelouse cuz I know NOTHING about floppys.

Don't worry, I just want to see if I can get anything on a floppy, No, I will not flash the BIOS again,I know how Dangerous that is..thats the reason I'm having a Tech come over so I can blame him if something goes wrong Twisted Evil

So, probley by next weekend, I'll update you 2 on my floppy adventure, to see if I can acually get one, to take a file, that I want on a floppy Very Happy

PS:, I know that this problem is'nt a do or die thing, just a learning curve for me and wanted just to thank you guys for your input, and This is the WHOLE reason why, I subscribe to Lockergnome, to learn and possably help someone eles, if I can with my limited know how,and it's becouse of this site, that I can help others that I know Exclamation

Thanks a ton,
Garance

albert001 · Joined: Jan 01, 2008 Posts: 14

iI had a similar problem once. The solution was to put all the files in a folder at the root of the C: drive. Then you can make the floppy. Hope this helps.

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

I THINK I'd better make sure that what you are calling a floppy is INDEED a floppy as you said your "New system has a 8 in 1 floppy" This sounds more like a flash card reader/writer.

THIS is a (3.5") floppy & drive:

^^^ floppy disk^^^

^^^ drive^^^

And good for you on seeing your limitations & having someone else take the responsibility on flashing the BIOS - this is definitely not for beginners. & even I wouldn't do it without a way to back out (some MOBO have this feature) Also, your willingness to learn (& the right way I might add) will be rewarded, as long as I can help you, anyway... (can't say what that would really be though as things for me are subject to change without notice)

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

LOL and heheheee Laughing

Thanks for your complete attention and Yes it's a floppy, I got a box of 10 pack 2HD IBM 3 1/2 in. diskettes, formatted, 1.44MB, double-sided, high- density, includes write-on labels.

On my new system it has a Floppy Drive "with" 8in1, yes my floppys look almost idenitcal to yours, they even have the HD in upper right corner and Yes they slide right in the new system too. Shocked

Like I said before, when I get my new system up and running, then I will attempt to get anything on a floppy, maybe even see if I can get one to boot up, I really do want to learn about floppys and how they work and such...

Baby_Tux · Joined: Mar 06, 2007 Posts: 1242

OK, got ya, just making sure we're on the same page. Sounds good.

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 1059

When you put a "prerecorded" (a known good floppy with data on it), floppy into the floppy drive - what does it show in "Windows Explorer" for Drive "A"? A multi - drive like that has both a "ribbon" cable for the floppy drive, and the USB cables for the other "reader" slots. Are they ALL connected?

garance12000 · Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 35

LoL, Yep, the light for the floppy drive comes on when I put a blank floppy in it, double checked to see if all hooked up , yep all good. Wink

As for putting a floppy with any data on it, Sry I don't have one yet, I never had a chance to use one as of yet, but hopefully soon when my new system get up and going. Rolling Eyes

I promise to update you guys on the status, I will prob start a new link which, I'll post here so you guys can follow me thru my Floppy Adventure. Shocked

Doc, sry again Wink

Your biggest fan guys
Garance

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

I couldn't begin to count the number of floppy disk drives I've replaced over the years because they get gummed up due to lack of use. It's like trying to drive a car that's been sitting out behind the barn for 10 years.

I used to take FD's apart and clean and oil them and run a test disk to make sure they were still in alignment. That was then.....this is now and FD's are so cheap (as low as $5 each) that I can't afford to fuss with them any more.
I just slap in a new drive and go on.

"Staples" had a stack of "Imation" 3.5" floppy drives sitting on their Clearance table one day, marked down to $5 each. I bought every one they had. Laughing

On my old PC I had two FD's installed. But I was very disappointed with my new mobo, because it will only support ONE FD. Crying or Very sad

So now my second 3.5" port has a flash card reader installed in it. Wink

I just can't run a PC without a Floppy Drive in it, even if it has to be an external USB Floppy Drive.

But that's just me......to each his/her own.

Doc Cool

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1668 Location: London

Floppy disks are the simplest and easiest things to save to. They are just built in to the computer system as a basic part, ( still).
So take one of these floppy disks. And save a file to it.
Just like you would normally in WORD, but save to drive A:
Then close down WORD, open it up again and open the file from drive A.
If that works than all is well.
If you can use a pen drive or a memory card you can use a floppy. it's just as simple.
But, your BIOS also has to be set to try to boot from floppy first if you are going to boot it from a floppy disc.
(Computers can boot from a variety of media; CD, DVD, harddrive etc. But the BIOS has to know which order to try them in. Usually it's floppy drive first, then CD then DVD and then the hard drive. But it can be any order and even omit some).